• BA (Hons) in History, Emmanuel College, University of Cambridge;
• Graduate Diploma in Law, BPP Law School, Leeds;
• BPTC, City Law School, London;
• Inner Temple, Major Scholarship.

Bernie has a broad experience in advising and preparing both applications and appeals with respect to personal and business immigration matters, including family migration, asylum and human rights claims, applications under the EU Settlement Scheme, and the Points-Based System.

Bernie assists clients with personal immigration matters and has extensive experience in preparing high-quality applications under Appendix FM of the Immigration Rules, including spouse, fiancé(e), and adult dependant relative visas as well as applications for leave to remain in the UK on the basis of clients’ rights to private and family life. He has experience in drafting grounds of appeal and skeleton arguments as part of preparing appeals against refusals on the basis of human rights claims. Through this work he has experience in dealing with complex immigration histories, previous refusals, allegations of deception, and cases involving vulnerable individuals with complex health needs. In addition he has advised and worked on numerous successful naturalisation and settlement applications. 

Bernie also has experience in business immigration work advising employers and employees in relation to Skilled Worker, then Tier 2 applications, and other work-related visa routes, including Sole Representative of an Overseas Business, Start Up and Innovator applications, exceptionally talented and promising persons under the Global Talent route, Overseas Domestic Worker, and UK Ancestry Visas. He is keen to continue to develop a broad practice and is also well equipped to advise on matters relating to acquisition and registration of British citizenship, short stay visa applications (including visitor, marriage visitor and private medical visas) and advising on the appropriate steps in challenging refusals through the appeal process, administrative review, and/or judicial review. 

Before joining Richmond Chambers, Bernie worked in the Law Centre movement in the Immigration and Employment departments at Barnet Law Service. He has experience in the third sector working as a researcher at Fair Trials International and within the Employment team and as a trade union representative of a leading trade union.Prior to embarking on a legal career he worked as a primary school teacher, tutor, and translator. 

Bernard speaks Russian at CEFR Level B2 and Spanish at CEFR Level B1.

“I couldn’t be more grateful to Bernie. He is a highly talented, dedicated and knowledgeable immigration lawyer; we couldn’t have wished for more. He has worked with us on 5 cases, ranging from difficult to almost impossible and has acheived a 100% success rate. His knowledge of the law and how it is put into practice is most impressive. Perhaps, more importantly, he knows how to present the facts in a logical way whilst finding creative solutions. Collating information, often in the hundreds of pages, takes a huge amount of effort, but Bernie’s punctuality was exemplary. Over the course of the two years we worked with him, Bernie became part of our family. We have entrusted him with the most private and sensitive information with no hesitation, and I feel privileged that I had the opportunity to work with him. If you are facing challenging citizenship or settlement cases, Bernie of Richmond Chambers should be your first choice of lawyer. Thank you Bernie, from the bottom of our hearts!”

Igor Kutsenko – application for Naturalisation as a British Citizen granted

“My wife and I were advised by Bernie Wood for our UK Spousal Visa application, who we found after a number of disappointing and unclear consultations with other practices. Bernie was absolutely spot on with the advice he gave, and his correspondence was clear and timely. He helped us navigate the evolving process, in the wake of delays caused by the pandemic and the Ukrainian Family Visa Scheme. Although we waiting for the full processing period, Bernie managed our expectations well, and his experience and pooled-knowledge through the Richmond Chambers practice allowed us to make logistical decisions to lessen the impact of the delays. Bernie’s services were invaluable to us, for peace of mind and confidence in applying and gaining approval.”

Robert Ballingal – Spouse Visa application approved

“I was incredibly lucky to have Bernie’s help and expertise throughout the process of my stage 1 Global Talent Visa application. He made sure to give me constant updates as well as great advice regarding my approach to the application. Hopefully, I won’t have to seek legal immigration representation in the near future but if I had to, I would most certainly be returning to Bernie Woods at Richmond Chambers. Thanks for all the help!”

KaniBeatz Mgmt – Global Talent endorsement application successful 

“I am not the type of person that leaves reviews, but this was definitely worth leaving a review for. I have worked with Mr. Bernard Wood and I must say he has been an absolute pleasure to work with. He has always been very helpful, knowledgeable, and great in responding to any queries that I have. I can’t thank him enough for his great customer service and care. Again many thanks for all your support. All the best. I would definitely work with you again Bernie in the future if I ever needed service again.”

Hashem – application for a replacement BRP card approved

“Bernie Wood handled my wife’s application for initial leave to enter and remain in the UK as the non-UK spouse of a UK citizen and resident, applying from outside the UK. At every stage of the process he took the time to give us careful explanations of what it was we needed to do, and what kind of documents we needed to submit, responding with infinite patience and understanding to all the questions we asked (which were many). As a result we were able to submit the application with confidence that we had maximised our chances of success, and her application went through without any issue being raised. We shall certainly seek Bernie’s advice for the future stages of this process, and recommend him most highly.”

Christopher Cullen – application for entry clearance as a Spouse of a British Citizen approved

“Our lawyer Bernie Wood guided us successfully through the arduous process of getting the EUSS family permit and pre-settled status with patience and great attention to detail – Bernie was extremely helpful and responsive. He went above and beyond, and my partner and I are very grateful.”

Ana Silvera – EUSS family permit application approved

“We had received an excellent services by Richmond Chambers. Bernie Wood was our immigration lawyer and he completed all application in timely manner and we had successful results. I highly recommend Bernie Wood (Richmond Chambers) for any immigration related issues. He was approchable, polite and had an excellent communication throughout with a vast knowledge of immigration laws.”

Manoj Potdar – application for Naturalisation as a British Citizen granted

“Our barrister Bernard Wood was outstanding, knowledgeable and very professional. After our first initial meeting with Bernard Wood, he explained us all pros and cons, given us a detailed summary of case and what he possibly can do to get our application for leave to remain as the Spouse of a settled person. He did excellent work by checking our application and went through each and every supporting documents. We are very thankful to Bernard Wood and his entire team and we would highly recommend Richmond Chambers to anyone who wants help in Immigration matters.”

Rashmi A M – application checking service

“Bernard Wood was absolutely excellent in advising us on my UK visa extension. He went above and beyond to make sure we were clear on what to do and minimised any stress and confusion. Couldn’t recommend him and Richmond Chambers more.”

Seth Travins – application for further leave to remain as a Partner of a British citizen approved

“Bernie was brilliant from the get-go. I knew upon our first initial consultation that he was extremely knowledgeable about Tier 1 Entrepreneur rules. On top of that, he was able to simplify and explain this to me in an understandable way and was honest about his expectations of the outcome which is everything we could have hoped for. He has thoroughly prepared me for the extension in which I have passed and granted my visa. More importantly, the work he prepared was incredibly detailed and was paramount in our case being successful. Best of all, he was taking the extra mile in terms of reviewing non-legal documents (i.e. business plan), working on my case after working hours and rehearsing for the Interview. Thank you very much, Bernie.”

Mohamed Elhawary – granted further leave as a Tier 1 Entrepreneur

“I searched for a reputable service to facilitate my successful “No Time Limit application for a BRP card”. Bernard Wood provided exceptional service. His professionalism, attention to detail, and patience in compiling my submission was extraordinary and timely. I highly recommend Bernie, as he was always available and delightful to work with!”

Janet Murdoch – No Time Limit application approved

“I consulted with Bernie Wood for advice about a UK visa application. Bernie was very thorough and helpful. He laid out the relevant parts of UK law and suggested exactly what evidence could be used to support the application. Thanks to Bernie’s help, the application was successful.”

Ian Williams  – granted a Marriage Visitor Visa

“I have requested an application checking service from Richmond Chambers for my citizenship and was extremely satisfied. They are quick to respond and provide a very good client experience. Thanks to Bernie’s knowledge, professionalism and attention to detail my case has been approved very quickly by the Home Office. I can only recommend this firm.”

Katie Bond – Naturalisation application approved

“I had a great experience with my Lawyer Mr. Bernie Wood, he was very professional and helpful in getting my job done. His knowledge level was very high. I wish him best of luck and thanks for all the support provided.”

Rajeev Desai – application for an NTL BRP card granted